Sunday, January 31, 2010

2010 was meant to be a great year, but so far it's brought a lot of stress, a lot of time away from Dave, a lot of things that are hard to think about. For each step forward, I was bounced back a couple of feet when I hit a wall I didn't see sneaking up. It kinda sucked overall.

Dave's been in Perth since the 11th and that's just too long. Unfortunately, it's going to be even longer with no definite date on his return yet. It's not all bad: he's been working hard, he's had weekends off, he's been able to spend some time with friends & family. All good things.

The Furkids and I have been holding down the fort pretty well. I spend every day at the dive shop (I finally took today off as town is dead and it was windy) as we are running a very small crew over this quiet season. The Girls and I get to the beach most mornings before I come in to work and then we have a big play in the afternoons. The kittehs mostly just cry at me for more food - even when their dishes are still full. Lobo has been a cuddle-bug and usually sleeps most nights with MatildaLily & me.

Yes, Ms Thing has decided our bed is just fine for her, too. I've given up kicking her out as it's less annoying than when she throws 3/4 of herself onto me in the wee morning hours!

I have been trying to be good about having a bit of camera fun each day, hopefully you've checked out the Retro January posts :) Here are some more bits & bobs from this month.

Dora working some OCF
Da Boofa
Tilly-Monster
Dora being a total goof
January wasn't *all* bad and even though there's a lot of things that aren't sprinkled with fairy dust, all in all, I survived, had some smiles & laughs and believe that February will be great!

So I'm making soup and I need some Cajun spice, right? We have about 50 million jars of spices in the cupboard so I start the treasure hunt and stumble across a bottle of paprika that is no longer the color of paprika and is seemingly a solid mass.

"Hmmmm", I think to myself because I'm that kind of deep thinker on a Sunday morning, "I wonder when this expired?"

Best before 2003.

Hmmm, indeed.

Which prompted me to then go through every jar. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 and even the rare 2010. No idea why 2006 and 2007 are missing. Oh, and there's a couple of 1999s that really make me think "We hauled these stupid things from Coral Bay to Exmouth and have never used them?" Yes, a couple were even still sealed.

But my favourite find was the Cinnamon & Sugar from 1996. That baby started in Perth, moved to Coral Bay for three years and then made the migration with us to Exmouth in 1999 - by then, already three years out of date. It's survived Category 5 Cyclone Vance, numerous intensive pantry cleanings and four or five rearranging events. It looks like maybe two shakes were ever used. Ten years later, it's time has come. Buh-bye!

Note to self: when deep cleaning or re-organizing, please read Best before dates AND toss stuff as appropriate, hmmm, OK? Thanks.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Tanks. I dream about tanks. Carrying them, filling them, lifting them, carrying them some more. Unfortunately, not diving with them as I am still in the shop (20 days running, if I were to count backwards) and not out on the boat.Canon 1DIII, Canon 24 MkII 1.4 @ ISO 100, 1/500, f1.4

January 21 - One of the many annoyingly LOUD white cockies in a tree across from Exmouth Diving CentreCanon 1DIII, Canon 135L 2.0, ISO 200, 1/640, f3.2

January 22 - more sunrise. I know I do a lot of these. I'll probably keep doing a lot of them, I just love how different each morning is and watching the sun rise over the Gulf simply makes me happy.Canon SD1200 IS

January 23 - big crab claw on the beach. I was surprised that neither dog was remotely interested in it. They each gave it a cursory sniff and then wandered away.Canon SD1200 IS

January 25 - another from our backyard. I'm still enamored with the subtle differences in the light, the shapes of the weeds, the backgrounds. My neighbors, should they be inclined to peek over the fence, would think I was very strange belly-crawling through the dirt with my Big Girl Camera!Canon 1DIII, Canon 135L 2.0, ISO 100, 1/1000, f2

January 26 - Australia Day morning was pretty amazingCanon SD1200 IS

January 27 - kangaroo by the road to the beach where the Girls and I walk most morningsCanon 1DIII, Canon 135L 2.0, ISO 100, 1/800, f2

Wow, all caught up now! Only a few days left in this first month of the new decade, I can't believe how fast it's gone already. Now that I'm back on track with at least my photo-a-day, I'll be popping at least a new photo up here for the remaining 3 days of this month so don't be a stranger.

Then comes February - very cool-o-rific changes are a'comin' that you won't want to miss!